Andrew Frates set to run Boston next month to help raise more awareness for ALS

Monday

Mar 20, 2017 at 8:15 PMMar 20, 2017 at 10:56 PM

By Nick Weinstein / Correspondent

The Boston Marathon is an event known around the world for attracting the best distance runners. But the majority of participants run for a cause, something greater than just the race itself.

That will be the case for Beverly native Andrew Frates this year, as he plans to take on one of the world’s most famous courses on April 17 in the 121st running of the historic event.

Frates will compete in the 26.2-mile run for his brother, Pete, a local icon who has become the face of ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, for being the inspiration behind the Ice Bucket Challenge that has raised millions to find a cure for the disease. Pete was diagnosed with ALS five years ago.

"I’ve been training since September for this race. I decided I wanted to run it pretty much this time last year," said Andrew.

"One of the assistant coaches on the BC baseball team ran for my brother [in 2016], and the year before Boston Herald sports columnist Steve Buckley also ran for Pete.

"The torch has now been passed. Last year when I saw BC coach Greg Sullivan run, I knew my decision was made."

Frates and the rest of his family all completely changed their lifestyles, when Pete was diagnosed five year ago. All three quit their jobs to solely help Pete, and begin the process to raise awareness for ALS.

"Prior to Pete being diagnosed, our family knew nothing about ALS. We thought it was an older man’s disease," said Andrew. "Once Pete got it, we received a crash course on the worst disease in mankind. Since then, I quit my job doing IT sales. My dad quit his, and my mom hers in order to come together to raise awareness and take care of Pete.

"The family mission of raising advocacy and money for ALS was in full effect," added Andrew.

The Frates family has done an incredible job raising money for ALS, most notably with the aforementioned Ice Bucket Challenge, which went viral several years ago.

"The first Boston athlete to do it was Greg Campbell. He was a forward for the Bruins. But the Patriots’ Julian Edelman was a catalyst behind it, along with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron of the Bruins," said Andrew.

"The high profile Boston athletes really made this thing catapult to the stratosphere that it did."

The Challenge started off as a big hit in Boston, but when survivors of the Marathon bombing sent a request to Justin Timberlake to take part in it, it went worldwide.

The Frates family created the "Team Frate Train" fundraiser to help raise support for Pete and the disease as a whole.

Andrew’s mom, Nancy, has served as the spokeswoman of the team ever since Pete lost his voice from ALS. She has spoken at numerous events around the country.

During one of her speaking engagements at the 2015 Endicott College graduation, Dr. Richard Wylie, the college’s president, made a surprise announcement.

"After my mom spoke at the graduation in May 2015, Doc (Wylie) came up to my mom to thank her, and said by the way they were going to name a dorm after Pete. Then, we went to the groundbreaking for Pete’s dorm that September. My mom spoke again, and Doc then told her that Pete’s baby daughter, Lucy, will be given a full scholarship to attend Endicott. He’s been a great supporter of us, along with the entire Endicott family, even though no one in our family went there. We are thankful for Doc and Endicott, who have stepped up for us."

Frates, who is now working at Celebrity Marketing in Boston, has been training for next month’s Marathon since last September. He already knows something about the sport after participating in it, when he was a student at St. John’s Prep in Danvers. The Prep came to his aid, and gave him a transitional job after he left his IT position to devote more time to his brother.

Frates enjoys running on Hale Street in Beverly, which has fantastic views of the ocean, not to mention the newest dorm at Endicott – Pete Frates Hall.

Andrew will be sporting a newly designed tank top for the race.

"I’m working with a graphic designer to release a new logo for Team Frate Train, and am planning to wear it on a special tank top, along with my bro’s inspiration. For me personally, I lost two good friends early on in my life. They are also going to be on my shirt for added inspiration," he said.

Look out for Andrew and his fancy tank top on April 17 at the start of the race in Hopkinton.

The Frates family is sure to be along the route supporting Andrew, as he runs for his brother and others afflicted with ALS.